Midsomer Murders, Set 23

They Changed It -- For the Worse
The latest series of Midsomer, available on Acorn, strikes out in a new direction. No spoilers, but the plots are darker, and the lurking humor that has characterized the series up to now is almost gone. The acting is still superb, the settings marvelous, and the casting excellent, but without the humor it's just another mystery. Well done, but not magical the way Midsomer's been for so long. Someone probably wanted to put their own stamp on the series, and in so doing it's less than it was. I hope enough people react to it so that the writers and directors get the message. Three stars but no more, for a previously five star series.

Midsomer, Macabre U.K.
This inimitable series continues amidst Midsomer's deceptively bucolic hills and dales, whilst denizens inflict numerous creative demises upon one another. Three new, feature-length Midsomer mysteries are a welcome arrival. Of a fond and generous heart towards Midsomer, this merits five-stars, but for the first episode and a fine cast of actors coping with material that is occasionally too contemporary, with less humorous banter between the main characters. These issues get ironed out. DCI John Barnaby is wonderfully played by Neil Dudgeon; unfortunately, Jason Hughes has been given little to work with as DI Ben Jones. On a musical note, loyal fans loved Midsomer's iconic score, composed by Jim Parker, and performed on the appropriately weird musical instrument, the theremin. Ears perked at Midsomer's spooky, inimitable opening notes. Unfortunately, a decision was made to replace the eerie theremin with a violin, resulting in a loss of continuity. There needs to be a return to...

Midsomer, Macabre U.K.
This inimitable series continues amidst Midsomer's deceptively bucolic hills and dales, whilst denizens inflict numerous creative demises upon one another. Three new, feature-length Midsomer mysteries are a welcome arrival. Of a fond and generous heart towards Midsomer, this would merit five-stars, but for the first episode and a fine cast of actors coping with material that is occasionally too contemporary, with less humorous banter between the main characters. These issues get ironed out. DCI John Barnaby is wonderfully played by Neil Dudgeon, while Jason Hughes has been given too little to work with as DI Ben Jones. On a musical note, loyal fans loved Midsomer's iconic score, composed by Jim Parker, and performed on the appropriately weird musical instrument, the theremin. Ears perked at Midsomer's spooky, inimitable opening notes. Unfortunately, a decision was made to replace the eerie theremin with a violin, resulting in a loss of continuity. There needs to be a return to...

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